FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free programs in February

Winter Reading, Black History, workshop, movies in February at Newport News Libraries

Libraries present free programs in February.

Library Closings
The Newport News Public Library System will be closed Monday, Feb. 21, for George Washington’s Birthday.

Stump the Librarian Contest

Enter a challenging question and you could win. Submit a question and your contact information through the eLibrarian instant messaging service online at http://www.nngov.com/library/meebome. Winners will be selected based on how challenging the question was for Library staff members to answer. The contest is co-sponsored by the Newport News Public Library System and the Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. For more information, please contact Virgil I. Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 or Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

 Snuggle with a Book Winter Reading Program
Adults and caregivers are encouraged to visit any Newport News Public Library to sign up for the winter reading program beginning Feb. 1. After signup, children and adults will receive bookmarks, reading logs and activity sheets to help make reading a part of every day. Children will receive a sticker sheet to display snowflake stickers for each book read aloud together. At the close of the program on March 2, all children who sign up will receive a certificate of participation and their choice of a book to keep. Call the respective Library for more information: Pearl Bailey, 757-247-8677; Main Street, 757-591-4858; Grissom, 757-369-3190.

Interactive Black History Trivia Puzzlers
Children and teens ages 8-17 can stop by the Main Street Library children’s desk or the Teen Zone bulletin board during February to play the interactive Black History puzzlers to test their knowledge of black history and get a treat. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information.

Games On! Mancala Contest
To celebrate Black History Month, players ages 6-18 can compete in a mancala board games contest, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 1, at Pearl Bailey Library. A mancala board game will be awarded to the winner in both categories, ages 8-12 and 13-18. No registration required. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.
Math Blast with Mr. Charles
Students ages 12-18 and adult students can get free homework help in math from Mr. Charles E. Brown, math instructor at Enterprise Academy, 4-6 p.m., Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, at Pearl Bailey Library. Sessions are 4-6 p.m. on Tuesdays, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. Students are encouraged to bring their math books and/or homework assignment sheets. Adults studying for GED Math are also welcomed to attend. No registration required. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Snuggle with a Book Storytime
Local storyteller Via Goode of Goode Stories will present a special storytime for children ages 0-6 at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Pearl Bailey Library; 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Main Street Library, and 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3, at Grissom Library. A member of the Virginia Storytelling Alliance, Goode performs folktales, nursery rhymes and original stories with props, voices and song. Children are encouraged to become a part of the stories. No registration is required. Call the respective Library for more information: Pearl Bailey, 757-247-8677; Main Street, 757-591-4858; Grissom, 757-369-3190.

Family Movie: “The Wiz”
In celebration of Black History Month, families can enjoy a showing of the movie, “The Wiz,” 4:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Pearl Bailey Library. The movie is a 1978 adaption of “The Wizard of Oz” that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience. It stars Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Nipsey Russell and is rated G. Free popcorn will be served, and no registration is required. Call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677 for more information.

Paws to Read
Children ages 6 to 10 build their confidence by reading out loud to trained therapy dogs, 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5, at Grissom Library. Parents are required to fill out a permission slip and may accompany their children, as well. Dogs are accompanied by certified trainers. Paws to Read is normally held on the first Saturday of each month, excluding holidays. No registration is required. Call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

African-American History Month Trivia Contest
Students ages 8-18 (attending high school) can celebrate Black History Month with the African-American History Month Trivia Contest, 4:30-6:45 p.m., Monday, Feb. 7, at Pearl Bailey Library. Youth will compete in teams of three to test their knowledge in African-American history for cool gift card prizes. Registration is required and begins Jan. 18 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Learning on Laptops for Youth: Online Databases
Youth ages 8-11 will learn basic skills using free online research databases such as Find it Virginia, Mango Languages and more, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Pearl Bailey Library. These classes will be held the second Tuesday of each month through May 2011. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Teen Advisory Committee
Teens ages 12-18 can meet to help advise Library staff on ways to improve Library programs and services. The group meets 5-6:30 p.m., the second Wednesday of each month, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 9. A Teen Advisory Committee application is required to join, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Learning on Laptops: Drop In and Learn Computer Skills
Students ages 8-17 can “drop in and learn” basic computing skills, 3-5 p.m., Thursdays, Feb. 10 and Feb. 24, at Main Street Library. Using the Library’s laptop computers, students can choose from a list of skills that they can learn in a 15-30 minute lesson, one on one, with a knowledgeable youth services staff person. Students can choose from skills such as how to cut, copy and paste; how to safely save documents; how to format documents in Microsoft Word; or Internet searching tips and tricks. Students need a Library card in good standing if the lesson includes Internet searching tips and tricks. After the lesson, students may take a bookmark that reinforces the skills. Drop in and Learn Computer Skills will be held the second and fourth Thursday of each month, excluding holidays, and no registration is required. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information.

Movie Night at Main Street Library: “Dear John”
The public is invited to a free showing of the movie “Dear John,” 6-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, at Main Street Library. The 2010 romantic drama about a soldier who falls for a conservative college student while he's home on leave is rated PG-13. No registration is required. Call Main Street Library at 757-591-4858 for more information.
Tuesday Afterschool Make and Take Craft
Children ages 5-11 can make a craft to take home, 4-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 15, at Pearl Bailey Library. The craft program will be held the third Tuesday of each month, excluding holidays. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

FKO Youth Advisory Committee
Children ages 6-11 can meet to help advise Library staff on ways to improve Library programs and services, as well as book purchases. The group meets 4:30-5:15 p.m., the third Wednesday of each month, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. The next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 16. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Lego party
Children ages 6 -11 can use Lego building blocks provided by the Library to build a creation based on the theme of the day, 2-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19, at Grissom Library. Creations may be displayed in the children's area. Registration is required and begins Feb. 5 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Grissom Library at 757-369-3190.

Teen Urban Lit Book Club
Teens ages 12-18 meet to discuss "Schooled," a Bluford series book, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 23, at Pearl Bailey Library. The Urban Lit Book Club will meet the fourth Wednesday of each month, excluding holidays. New members are always welcome. Registration is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Reach For Your Dreams: Resume Writing and Interviewing Workshop
Case workers from Peninsula Worklink will instruct adults on how to write an effective resume and how to conduct a power interview, 2-4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25, at Main Street Library. Registration is required online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.This program is part of “Reach For Your Dreams,” a series of how-to programs for adults throughout 2011.

Loosely Knit Group
Everyone is welcome to join the Loosely Knit Group, which meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. every Thursday, excluding holidays, at Grissom Library. Anyone who enjoys knitting, crocheting, or any craft is welcome, and no registration is required. Call Grissom Library at 757-369-3190 for more information.

All Tied Up: Bailey Knit & Stitch Group
Adults are welcome to join the All Tied Up Group, which meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, excluding holidays, at Pearl Bailey Library. Participants can socialize with others while learning a new skill or enhance their current skills. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Pearl Bailey Library at 757-247-8677.

Computer classes
Registration begins Feb. 1 for March classes online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library. Classes are offered on an ongoing basis covering various topics, including computer and Internet basics, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, resume writing and more. Search for classes and register at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective library.

Winter Storytime Session
The Winter Storytime schedule runs Jan. 18-Feb. 26. Registration is required and is ongoing online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling the respective Library.

Grissom Library
• Babygarten for ages birth to 2½ (with parent or caregiver)
Mondays at 10 a.m., Feb. 7, 14
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22
• Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)
Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23

Pearl Bailey Library
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Mondays at 10 a.m., Feb. 7, 14
Main Street Library
• Tiny Tot Storytime for ages 2½ to 3½ (with parent or caregiver)
Tuesdays at 10 a.m., Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22
• Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 (Children only)
Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22
• Wee Ones Storytime for ages birth to 2½ (with parent or caregiver))
second and fourth Thursdays at 10 a.m., Feb. 10, 24

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